Dave Woods has us down to finish 8th in his BBC preview rlhere.rl

If we avoid major injury setbacks to frontline players, we could very well make the playoffs, but, like many other posters have said, there will be a fair old tussle with Bradford, Hull FC, Hull KR, Wakey and probably London for the lower playoff places. So much depends on squad fitness that it's almost impossible to predict that section of the table. I'll be happy with improved performances and fitness and finish 9th again, but we really need to be pushing up the table given the off field improvements to the training regime, etc, so I'd like to think we'd grab 8th and give it a good go in the challenge cup.

Can understand why pundits have predicted a lowly finish from Cas. We've hardly recruited anyone of note whereas 3 of the teams that finished below us last year - Wakey, Bradford & London - have made significant changes.

Of course no-one quite knows when a club makes substantial changes to their playing roster whether that's going to have a positive effect or not in the long run. Which is a why a couple of the more recent previews - Rugby League express & Dave Woods (BBC) - have us in a higher position (8th) than those clubs who have made the big changes.

Most people seem to have a pretty similar view of how the league will go this season. For what it's worth here's mine:

1 - 4: Saints, Warrington, Leeds & Wigan. Not necessarily in that order

5 - 7: Catalans, Hull & Huddersfield.

8 - 12: Hull KR, Cas, Bradford, Wakey, London. In more or less any order.

13 - 14: Salford & Widnes.

There could be some cross-over between groups. Catalans could break into the top 4, with Wigan being most at risk of missing out and with luck with injuries any one of the 3rd tier could sneak into the 5 - 7 places.

The good thing everyone predicting Widnes bottom must be an incentive to the players and staff.Look at Norwich at football and everyone predicted them to be bottom.If Widnes play like they did against Saints then be a few shocks on the cards.No pressure so I think some of you will be stunned.

But theres no pressure for any of the bottom teams is there, making top 8 just to get one more game in is hardly a reward. The system is flawed and if we have to have the playoff system then I prefer the old top 6 scenario. There are 2 mini leagues within superleague and the cap hasnt levelled the situation out as they wished it would.

Roll on Saturday .

Cas for the cup

We have a bit of experience at being the promoted team in recent years, i have no doubt you will win some games people thought you were nailed on to lose, just as we did (like when we beat saints and leeds in 200icon_cool.gif however the one thing a new team, that needs time to gel and has players that have only played in the championship before, is unlikely to have is consistency, and without that you will come in the bottom 4.

We appear to have a mini-league of sugar daddy supported, salary cap shenanigans 'big' clubs, and a secondary league for everyone else.

yes he will if you know what i know and i will come back on here and say i told you so

Just tell us now ? Instead of waiting for anything to happen then saying
Told you x would happen ?

Man up!!

Or since he is so confident, he could put his money where his mouth is as i suggested.

Although he could just be talking crap.

dont shoot the messenger millward has already had a big bust up with a director and there are certain players who dont want to play for him it will come out in the coming weeks

Love this, name a credible source seriously do it.

He can't.

This is proved by the opening stating: "Don't shoot the messenger" which implies he's heard it from someone else = hear-say.